World Cup 2026: ESTA, eTA and Entry Requirements for British Supporters

Visa Waiver Programme (VWP): the 42 eligible countries

The United Kingdom is among the 42 countries eligible for the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) — Brexit did not change this. UK passport holders do not need a US visa for tourist or business visits, but must obtain a mandatory electronic travel authorisation — the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). According to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the fee stands at $40.27 since 30 September 2025 (up from $21 previously), under the « One Big Beautiful Bill Act ». An ESTA is valid for 2 years or until passport expiry (whichever is sooner) and permits multiple entries for tourist stays of up to 90 days.

Step-by-step procedure

• Go exclusively to esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Any other URL is a potential scam.
• Enter your personal details and your UK biometric passport information (the electronic chip is mandatory, identifiable by the ePassport symbol on the cover).
• Answer the regulatory questions (criminal record, travel to sensitive countries, dual nationality).
• From April 2026: upload a biometric selfie via the ESTA mobile app (plain background, face forward, neutral expression).
• Pay $40.27 by card or PayPal. Keep your case reference number to track the status.

Who CANNOT use the ESTA?

Even as a UK national eligible for the VWP, your ESTA will be refused in certain situations: dual nationality with Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Sudan, Syria or Cuba; prior travel to Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Yemen or North Korea since 1 March 2011 (except for official diplomatic missions). In these cases, a B-1/B-2 visa is mandatory. According to Fragomen, consulate appointment waiting times can exceed several months — begin the process immediately.

ESTA refused: what are your options?

An ESTA refusal cannot be appealed. You must then apply for a B-1/B-2 visa at the US Embassy in London (DS-160 form, $160 fee, consular interview). If you hold official FIFA tickets, the FIFA PASS programme (available at inside.fifa.com) gives access to priority appointment slots — but does not guarantee visa approval. Given current processing times, applications submitted after May 2026 may be too late for the tournament.

eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation): the express CAD 7 requirement

Toronto (BMO Field, 45,000 seats, 6 matches) and Vancouver (BC Place, 54,000 seats, 7 matches) host 13 World Cup fixtures. To enter Canada by air, UK nationals must obtain an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation). Contrary to a common misconception, IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) officially confirms: there is no special FIFA visa for Canada. Supporters enter as tourists.

eTA procedure in 5 steps

• Go to the official website: canada.ca/eta/apply (the only legitimate portal).
• Enter your personal details and your passport information.
• In the « Background Questions » section, mention « FIFA World Cup 26 » in the free text box.
• Pay CAD 7 by bank card. Avoid third-party sites that charge up to £80 for this £4 service.
• Receive confirmation by email (usually within minutes). The eTA is electronically linked to your passport — valid for 5 years or until passport expiry.

Note: land border crossing requires a visitor visa

If you cross the US–Canada border by land (car, coach or train), the eTA is not valid. A standard visitor visa is required even if your country is normally visa-exempt. According to FCDO travel advice for Canada, border officers « exercise considerable discretion and may refuse entry if there is any doubt about the purpose of your visit ».

FMM (Forma Migratoria Múltiple): free and issued on arrival

This is the straightforward part: UK citizens are fully exempt from Mexican visa requirements for tourist stays of up to 180 days. The FMM (Forma Migratoria Múltiple) — Mexico’s tourist immigration card — is issued free of charge on arrival, either as a stamp in your passport or via E-gate kiosks at Mexico City (AICM/NAICM) and Cancún airports. According to Fragomen, no advance action is required for UK nationals.

Key points

• No online formalities before departure for visa-exempt UK citizens.
• Mexico hosts the tournament opening match on 11 June 2026 at the Estadio Azteca (Mexico City), as well as fixtures in Guadalajara (Estadio Akron) and Monterrey (Estadio BBVA).
• Holders of a valid Schengen visa (even non-EU nationals) can generally also enter Mexico without a visa.

Your biometric passport: essential for all three countries

For both the US ESTA and the Canadian eTA, your passport must be biometric (integrated electronic chip, identifiable by the ePassport symbol on the cover). For Mexico, a standard passport is sufficient. Regarding validity: the UK and US have an agreement requiring only that your passport is valid for the duration of your trip, but the FCDO nonetheless recommends at least 6 months’ remaining validity to avoid any issues with airlines or border officers. If your passport is expiring soon, renew it before applying for your ESTA.

Supporting documents to prepare

• ESTA / eTA confirmation printed or saved offline on your phone.
• FIFA tickets (via the FIFA app, linked to your registered FIFA ID) — can serve as proof of travel purpose at customs.
• Return flight ticket and proof of accommodation for all three countries.
• Sufficient funds — border officers may ask for proof of financial means.

ICE absent from stadiums, phone searches on the rise

The political context surrounding the 2026 World Cup in the United States raises legitimate questions. Some reassuring news first: ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents will not be present inside or around stadiums during matches, according to an official confirmation from the Miami host committee (Africanews, May 2026). Security will be managed by local law enforcement and private security teams.

For UK nationals with a valid ESTA, the risk of difficulties at the border remains low but not negligible. Key points to be aware of:

• Phone searches: significantly up (55,000+ devices in 2025). CBP officers can request access to your contacts and apps. There is no legal obligation to unlock your device, but refusal can result in entry being denied.
• Social media: the CBP proposed (consultation closed February 2026) requiring disclosure of social media accounts from the past 5 years. Not yet in force as of 16 May 2026.
• Have your documents ready: FIFA tickets, accommodation booking, return flight. Officers may ask detailed questions about the purpose of your visit — answer calmly by mentioning the World Cup.